Herald of the Host MTG Card
2015-11-13 - Number 4
2015-11-18 - Number 6
2018-06-08 - Number 29
2023-08-04 - Number 30
Text of card
Flying, vigilance Myriad (Whenever this creature attacks, for each opponent other than defending player, you may put a token that's a copy of this creature onto the battlefield tapped and attacking that player or a planeswalker he or she controls. Exile the tokens at end of combat.)
Cards like Herald of the Host
Herald of the Host stands out in its capacity to influence the battlefield the moment it enters the fray. This commanding card mirrors the impact of other volition creatures like Angel of Sanctions, offering board control by detaining an opponent’s permanent until it leaves the battlefield. Novice players might compare it to Serra Angel, a classic flyer with vigilance. However, Herald of the Host raises the stakes with its myriad ability which can populate the battlefield with formidable tokens, leveraging both offensive and defensive positions.
Consider Wingmate Roc, another bird in the flock with similar momentum-shifting traits. But this avian ally requires a raid trigger for its token generation, dictating a pre-combat main phase action to maximize value. Herald of the Host, on the other hand, provides consistent value on each of your combat phases without extra setup. Another parallel can be drawn with Geist of Saint Traft, though this spirit creates a mere singular token and only upon attacking. The Herald, with its myriad, potentially crafts an escalating army, a strategy not to be underestimated in Commander format games.
In sum, Herald of the Host offers an invaluable blend of power and utility within the realm of token-generating creatures, firmly establishing its rank among impactful permanents in the game’s vast pantheon.
Cards similar to Herald of the Host by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Herald of the Host offers a distinct edge in terms of card advantage through its myriad ability, which creates additional attacking creatures each time it attacks. This incremental increase can overwhelm opponents with increased offensive options.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, the spawned tokens can potentially unlock synergies with other cards that feed off creature presence or enter-the-battlefield effects, indirectly fostering resource growth.
Instant Speed: Though Herald of the Host operates at sorcery speed, its permanence on the battlefield creates conditions which allow players to capitalize on instant speed spells in other areas of their strategy, ensuring a solid board presence while keeping mana available for reactive plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Herald of the Host does not inherently require a discard, but playing this card often necessitates a significant resource investment. If your strategy involves maintaining card advantage, committing five mana along with additional prerequisites for white card types can put you at a card deficit.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Herald of the Host is restrictive, needing three generic mana along with two white mana. This specific mana requirement can be limiting, especially for multi-colored decks that may struggle to generate the required white mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Herald of the Host comes into play relatively late in the game. For the same mana investment, there are alternatives that could potentially provide a greater immediate impact on the board or offer more versatility in various game situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Herald of the Host can adapt to a variety of playing styles, serving as a key component in both aggressive and midrange decks. Its ability to generate additional creatures makes it a robust choice for those seeking to maintain board presence.
Combo Potential: This card possesses significant synergy, especially in decks designed around token generation and buffs. Its myriad of uses range from enhancing token strategies to amplifying the effects of cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with creature-based tactics, Herald of the Host holds a place of importance. It can quickly alter the state of play, providing the upper hand against opponents through its consistent creature creation.
How to Beat Herald of the Host
The card Herald of the Host can be a key component in a victorious strategy for Magic: The Gathering players. Its myriad of attributes, particularly its flying and vigilance, combined with the ability to produce additional tokens each combat, can pose a significant threat on the battlefield. Strategic players must address and neutralize this creature smartly and efficiently.
To combat this celestial threat, removal spells that can bypass its protections are crucial. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile serve as excellent counters, offering an immediate and affordable solution. Moreover, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the playing field, including any tokens that the Herald has generated. Engaging control deck strategies or utilizing creatures with reach can also neutralize the angel’s advantages, thereby diminishing the prospects of your opponent leveraging their air superiority.
Ultimately, when it comes to dealing with a powerful card like Herald of the Host, having a strategy to eliminate such threats or suppress their abilities early in the game could deter your opponents from establishing a dominant presence, providing you with a path towards triumph in your MTG duels.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the dynamics of MTG means understanding each card’s strengths and weaknesses, including niche cards like Herald of the Host. This card offers a blend of relentless token generation and board presence that can shift the game in your favor. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to experiment with a new strategy or a newcomer eager to build a commanding deck, Herald of the Host deserves a second glance. Take advantage of its creature creation potential to bolster your arsenal. Dive deeper into our comprehensive guides for expert advice on integrating this card into your collection and forging a winning path. Learn more with BurnMana and ensure your deck is a force to be reckoned with.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Herald of the Host MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2015 and Legendary Cube Prize Pack, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Herald of the Host and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Herald of the Host Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-11-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 4 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2015-11-18 | Legendary Cube Prize Pack | PZ1 | 6 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Herald of the Host has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Herald of the Host card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-11-04 | Although the tokens enter the battlefield attacking, they were never declared as attackers. Abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks won’t trigger, including the myriad ability of the tokens. If there any costs to have a creature attack, those costs won’t apply to the tokens. |
| 2015-11-04 | Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as -his permanent] enters the battlefield” or “ -his permanent] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the copied creature will also work. |
| 2015-11-04 | Each token copies exactly what was printed on the original creature and nothing else. It doesn’t copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, and so on. |
| 2015-11-04 | If myriad creates more than one token for any given player (due to an effect such as the one Doubling Season creates), you may choose separately for each token whether it’s attacking the player or a planeswalker they control. |
| 2015-11-04 | If the defending player is your only opponent, no tokens are put onto the battlefield. |
| 2015-11-04 | The term “defending player” in the myriad rules (or any other ability of an attacking creature) refers to the player the creature with myriad was attacking at the time it became an attacking creature this combat, or the controller of the planeswalker the creature was attacking at the time it became an attacking creature this combat. |
| 2015-11-04 | The token creatures all enter the battlefield at the same time. |
| 2015-11-04 | The tokens created by the myriad ability enter the battlefield tapped even though they’ll have vigilance. |
| 2015-11-04 | You choose whether each token is attacking the player or a planeswalker they control as the token is created. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.